Construction element



May 7, 1940. A. DAVIS, JR

CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT Filed Sept. 17, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Auq USTINE DA v/s, JR.,

@34 WW ATTORNEYS May 7, 1940;

A. DAVIS, JR

7 CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT Filed Sept. 17, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 35 INVENTOR.

A UG us TINE DAV/s, ,JR.,

ATTORNEYS,

y 7, 1940- A. DAVIS, JR 2.200.159

CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT Filed Sept. 17, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I NVEN TOR. A u G us-r-nvz DA v/s, 1/12.,

' Patented May 7, 1940 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a construction element particularly to a composhis ite element to take the place of floor beams, or joists, wall studs, roof rafters, headers and the similar parts used in building construction.

Here-to-fore, attempts have been made to pro-' duce a construction element which were composite in their nature, that is, formed partly of metal and partly of wood, or other comparatively soft material, thereby affording means that may readily be nailed to. Other attempts to replace the wood construction member of buildings have been made, by specially forming a metallic member and then utilizing special connectlng parts for securing the construction elements to one another. In each of these instances certain difficulties have been encountered either in that the construction element had sides which were provided with flanges and thereby could not be very readily substituted for the wooden member, or else specially trained erecters were needed for erecting the all metal element by means of the special connectors. By this invention, there is provided a construction element, as above noted, which can be readily fabricated by a carpenter or building erecter without difflculty while, at the same time, having a building construction which is considerably stronger and very favorably compares with all metal buildings.

It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an eflicient building element or construction element which is comparatively simple and economical to manufacture, economical to use and readily substituted for the construction element now employed, and not requiring a special trained erecter therefor.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a building or construction element, which is formed of metal and wood, that can readily be assembled, and in which the said'elements can readily be connected to one another.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a construction element, so formed that .a light'gauge material may be employed, without sacrificing strength'and rigidity, and in which the most efficient use and distribution of the metal is obtained. I

It is also an object of this invention to'provide a housing structure in which the elements thereof may be temporarily secured together by carpenters, and the like, and later permanently connected by a permanently uniting means, such as welding, etc. I

A still further object of this invention is the provision of. a housing structure in which the parts are so connected to one another, that certain elements thereof are primarily under tensile strain, whereby considerably lighter gauge ma- I terial may be employed, with safety, in the structural elements and, thereby, materially lessening .the dead load in the frame, and economically distributing the whole load.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective, fragmentary view of a construction element, embodying the features and improvements'of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective, fragmentary view of one of the side members of the construction element shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View through the construction element, as seen from line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross, sectional view, similar to Fig.

3, but showing a slight modification in the con- E struction.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a construction element, somewhat narrower than that illustrated in Fig. 1, and utilized 'in'pra'ctice, as a wall stud o-r roof rafter, while that of Fig. 1 .35 is utilized for a floor beam or joist.

Fig. 6 is a section view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view, illustrating in perspective, the assembling of the construction elements of this invention. i

Fig. 8 is a vertical, sectional view taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 7. a

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a section of a cap channel, utilized in theassembling of the construction elements of this invention, and forming a detail thereof.

Fig. 10 is an example of the utilizationof the construction element of this invention for forming offset roof corners, gables, and the like; this view being on a smaller scale than that utilized in the other views.

Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary, perspective views oftwo different types of cornice construc-sg tions, each utilizing the construction element of this invention.

Fig. 13 is a cross, sectional elevation of a dwelling house frame, utilizing the construction of this invention; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view, illustrating the side joining of two construction elements of this invention.

Throughout the several views of the drawings, similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

The construction element of this invention comprises a pair of correspondingly bent and shaped side members l5 and it. Bet-ween these members, at the upper and lower sides thereof, are placed, nailing strips H and i8. lfnusc, the width of the construction element is varied, depending upon the place in the building it is used. As shown in Figs. 1 to l inclusive, the depth of the construction element would be around 8 and of a width slightly less than and may be utilized as a floor beam or joist. Under test, it has been found, that this beam or joist will bear a greater load than the wooden beam or joist, here-tcfore used, which was one half again as deep, such as the usual 2" x 12 (so called) wood planks, used for floor beams, joists, and the like. The overall length of thesebeanis is of course variable, depending upon the span. If the said construction element is to be used for a wall stud, its thickness would substantially be the same as that pointed out, that is, a little under 2", while the width or depth thereof would be a little less than 4", to take the place of the usual 2" x 4" stud, usually employed in a wall structure. Again, ceiling rafters are frequently formed of planks or boards having the rough measurement of 2" thick by 6" wide or deep, and the construction element of this invention, which would take their place, could be of a corresponding dimension, but would probably be of less depth, due to its greater load capacity.

The side members l5 and i i, of the construction element, are identical and it is deemed cient if but one of them is described in detail, which is illustrated in Fig, 2. As seen in Fig. 2. the side member 85 is formed of a single piece of metal, providing a vertical wall or body portion l9, which is of a dimension equal to the total depth or width of the construction element. At opposite edges of the body portion, the metal is folded upon itself to provide flanges 2'9 and ii, which are double to gauge or thickness of the sheet. Extending from the edge flanges toward one another, the sheet is folded against the body portion, as at 22 and 23, and then the freeedges of the sheet are folded normal to the portions 22 and 23, to provide the internal flanges 2d and 25. It is-nct, absolutely necessary, but frequently desirable, to insure that the parts at the bends do not separate and, therefore, the portions 22 and 23 may be respectively secured to the body portion by a series of spot welds 25 and ill, which extend the full length of the side members. body. portion !9, of said side member, is pro vided vat spaced intervals throughout its length, and between the internal flanges 25 and 25, with apertures 28 which, in the assembled construction element, are utilized for stringing pipes, con-- duits wires and the like. At least one of said openings such as 28', nearest one end of the con struction element, is made larger than the others and preferably rectangular in shape to provide space for the usual hot air heating pipes to pass therethrough. To insure sufilcient rigidity at this point, the said enlarged opening is "re-enforced by a liner 28" passing therethrough.

The side members are then positioned in opposition to one another with the edge flanges 2H and 2! in given planes, and with the inner flanges 2d and 25 in planes intermediate the planes of the flanges 2i! and 2!. This arrangement provides a channel at the upper and lower, or inner and outer, sides of the construction element which is filled by a wooden strip or other relatively soft material. It will be appreciated that the strips I! and It need not be continuous from end to end, but may be made up of random length, or relatively short, pieces, abutting one another. The width or lateral dimension of these strips ll and I8 is greater than the combined width-of the opposed flanges of the sides l5 and I6, whereby a space '23 is provided at the upper and lower, or

inner and outer, sides of the construction element, between the; flanges 2B and 2!; and, since the inner flanges 24 and 25 are normally longer 7 than the outer flanges 20 and ZL there is pro vided a shorter space 39 between the saidinne'r flanges 2 and 25 when the construction element is completely assembled. It should also be noted.

that, as intimated above, the-inserts El and ill, instead of being wood, maybe formed of some resilient material such'as a plastic, and molded to the desired dimension, or instead, the ma terial, while in the plastic form, may he run into the channels and allowed to set.

In order to'ho'ld the side members i5 and 16 in operative position, tie pieces 34 may be welded between the opposed'flanges iii and 2! after the inserts l1 and !8 are in position. These tie-pieces 3! may take the form shown in Fig. 3. that is, be made of metal ofa gauge equal to that of the metal from which the side members are formed, and will therefore be but half of the thickness of the flanges 2H andZl, and set below the outer,

surface of said flanges. Thesetie pieces or strips are welded in position, as at 32 to insure that they remain in position.- Instead of using .in-

serted ties, as just described, the members may besecured to one another by tie pieces 3 l as shown in Fig. 8, in which case, the tie pieces are of a very light gauge of metal and mounted cnthe upper surfaces ofthe flanges 20 and and welded thereto, as shown atBZ. This latter type of tie will not interfere with the subsequent 1 nailing to the construction element, since the gauge of the tie is insufficient to materially interfere with the flooring or'the like, laid on they elemerit. The sideslE and it may be further secured to one another by small welds 513 which.

connect the adjacent edges or ends of the, inner flanges 24 and 25. as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

These small welds 33 are formed by inserting the welding tool. through-the apertures and the said welds will, therefore, beat the-same inter-.

fore, limited to the use of tie plates 3! or 3! The side members l5 and 16 are formed from relatively light gauge steel, such as from '12 to 24 gauge inclusive, the gauge, of course, depending upon whether it is used as a floor beam or a wall stud or ceiling rafter and the amount of stress illustrated in section in Fig. 4, and the invention is not, thereand strain to be placed thereon. Theseside members may be formed on a press brake, from sheet steel, or they may be pressed or rolled from strip steel. If strip steel is employed, the inner flanges 24 and 25 may not be of uniform length since the edges of strip steel are not always uni form and the adjacent ends of these flanges, when in assembled form, may more or less. approach each other from that shown in the drawings. Should this spacing be greater than that required to make the inner welds 33, a short bridging piece, similar to 3| or 3|,may be employed, to effect the tie of the internal flanges. The actual construction may even be further varied by spot welding this inner bridging piece to the flanges of one of the side members and after the construction element is assembled, the free end of the bridging piece welded to. the flanges of the other side member, by inserting the welding tool through the aperture in the side member. It should also be noted at this time, that the side members may be joined to one another by means of welds bridging the space 29, in the same manner that the welds 33 bridge the space 353, and without using any tie pieces 3| or 3|.

The stud, illustrated in Figs. and 6, is considerably narrower than that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, and is intended to be employed where a relatively narrow stud and the like is desired. This stud comprises a pair of side members 9i and 98, each having the longitudinal edge of the metal folded on itself to provide flanges 99 and I00, which are of double thickness and dieposed at the longitudinal edges of the body portion I 0|. The side members 91 and 98 are arranged with their flanges in opposition'to one box girder.

another and are connected together, with a short space between them, either by a bridging piece, such as 3! or 3|, or are connected together by welds, such as 33. This structure results in a tube, having a rectangular cross section and, disposed Within this tube, is a resilient member 22, having a cross sectional area, substantially equal to the interior cross sectional area of the tube.

From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that there has been provided, a composite structural element which is, in effect, a It will further be noted that this structural element is made up of one main. box like girder havinginteriorly thereof, two additional box girders which is formed by the portions 22 and 23, and the flanges 20 and 24, and 2! and 25, respectively at the ends of the portions 22 and 23. It should-also be noted that the metal in the side members is so arranged and proportioned, as to give the most efiicient use thereof, since the body portions IQ, of each of these side members is set on its edge to resist compression and, at the same time, are spaced the maximum distance from one another to give the maximum lateral rigidity to the element as a Whole. This strength and rigidity results, even though the thickness or gauge of the metal is reduced'to a minimum and has been found to resist deflection and withstand loads equal to, and greater than, other metallic construction elements which were formed of a considerably heavier gauge, and that the deflection in the construction element of this invention was well within the limits of safety, when placed under a greater load than that under which the wooden beam or joist failed. 1

Fig. 7 illustrates a method of assembly of a plurality of construction elements of this invention, together with a simple additional element for readily connecting the parts to one another. As shown in this figure, a plurality of floor beams, each floor beam being indicated as a whole by the reference'numeral 34, are mounted on a foundation wall or support 35. The beams 34 are then cross-braced by any well known method, such as a continuous band 35, which has its one end connected to the first floor beam at one end of the floor area, and passed below and above alternate successive beams, and the band having its other end secured to the last beam at the other end of the floor area. .A second band 37 extends from beam to beam in opposite direction from that of the band 36, again passing alternately above and below successive beams.

Mounted on the upper surface of the beams, and transversely thereof at the point where the upturned flanges 4i and 41, at the opposite ends thereof. The bottom 40 and the flanges 4! and 42 are each provided with a plurality of perforations 43, spaced at convenient intervals, whereby said perforations will align with the nailing strips ET and I8 of the beams and studding when mounted therein. It should be noted at this time that the width of the bottom or base 40 of the channel 38 is approximately equal to the width or depth of the construction element to be mounted therein.

The channel 38 is temporarily held in position on the beams 34 by driving a nail through the apertures in the bottom 40 into the upper nailing strip of the beams, whereupon the uprights or studs are placed in the channel. These uprights or studs are then temporarily held in position by driving a nail through the apertures in the sides 4! and 42 into the nailing stripe at the opposite sides thereof. Mounted on the upper ends of the uprights or joists is a second channel 44 which is identical with the channel 38 except that its position is inverted and may be referred as a cap channel for capping the upper ends of the joist. This channel is again seceured to the joist by driving nails through the apertured sides into the nailing strips of the joists. If there is to be a second floor to the building, the second floor beams or joists are mounted on the upper surface of the cap channel 44. These second floor joists, each indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 45, havesecured to them a U-shaped member 46 which is merely a short sectionofa channel, similar to the channels 38 and 44, but being of a length equal to the width of the beam. Each of these connecting members 46, as seen in Fig. '7, comprises a base member 41, from which depend legs 48 and 49, which base member and legs are provided with one or more apertures. The base member 41, between the legs 48 and 49, is of a width equal to the entire width of the channel 44, so that said channel will fit between the legs 48 and 49. Previous to mounting the second floor beams on the channel 44, the connecting members 46 were secured to each beam, as by nailing through the base thereof, and these partsare subsequently securly welded to each other, as by a series of short welds Eli, at the edges of the bottom 41 of the connecting member 46, where it contacts the flanges of the beam. By driving a nail through the registering apertures in the connecting member 46 and one side of the channel 44 into one of the nailing strips of the stud, the said second floor beam is temporarily held in position. These floor beams may be suitably cross-braced by straps or hands, similar to the straps or bands 36 and 31, which brace the lower floor beams 34, as above described.

In order to provide openings in the upright construction element of this invention.

walls, as for doors, windows'and the like, use is made of a section of a channel '51 which is identical with the channels 38 and M. In order, however, to connect this channel at points in.- termediate the length of the joist, the sides M and 42 are cut from the base or bottom 40 for a distance equal to the thickness of the upright studding, thereby providing the arms 52 and 53, on the channel 5!, see Figs. 7 and 8, which respectively lie on opposite sides of the upright or studding. The portion of the bottom out from these sides is upset normal to the remaining portion of the bottom or base of the channel, as seen at 54, and lies against the inner side of the upright or stud, embraced by the arms 52 and 53. Again, by driving nails or the like through the apertures in the arms 52 and 53, these headers and foot channels may be temporarily held in position and subsequently have secured to them, the upper window frames, moldings, and window sills and the like parts. If desired of course, these channel sections 5! may have secured to them the usual wooden 2" x 4", or the like, to which in turn, the window casing, molding, trim and the like may be secured.

If desired, additional floor-s may be added to the building, in the same manner as above described, until the roof is reached, which, of course, terminates in a cap channel, similar to the cap channel i i. If it is desired to use the construction element of this invention for the floor beams only, and make the upright walls of wood con struction members, as is the practice at this time, this can readily be done by nailing a plank to the nailing strips of the beams and secure by toe-nailing, or the like, the usual uprights, or

the channel .38 could be secured to the beams,

as above described, and a plank secured therein and the uprights secured to the plank, or the said uprights may be secured in position by nails, or the like, driven through the apertures in the channel flanges.

With the construction element of this invention, any type of roof may be made up with any desired overhang and eaves formation. Two of the more commoner types are illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. As shown in Fig. 11, the roof chan nel 55 has the rafters 56 notched so that the outer ends of the rafters do not overhang the channel, but come vertically flush therewith. In Fig. 12, the opposite construction is illustrated, and shows the roof channel 55 with the rafters 56 so notched, that the lower ends 51, of each rafter, projects beyond the channel to provide an overhanging type of eaves. In each of these instances, the rafters may be temporarily held in position by light metal straps, or by board stringers, as in the usual wood construction, by nailing same to the rafter nailing strips or construction elements.

In Fig. 10, there is illustrated, the construction of a peaked offset of the roof, or a gable, in which the construction element of this invention is used. As shown in this View, the ridge piece 58 extends diagonally of the area of the 1100f corner and has extending therefrom the rafters 59 which extend to the cap channels 5t) and 6|. These members are temporarily secured in position by means of straps 62, each of which may connect the adjacent ends of the rafters to the ridgepiece. A similar connecting piece 63 may be employed for connecting the outer ends of the rafters to the cap channel, or to the members 6i} and 6|, when they are made from the In this which is obtained from using the well known wood construction element. The said upright 64. may

be temporarily mounted in position by driving nails up through the apertures in the base of the cap channel 64 into the ends of the nailing strips carried bythe element, or a connecting strap, such as shown in phantom lines at 65, may

be secured, by nailing the opposite ends thereof, respectively to the nailing strips of the adjacent elements. ping of the construction element of this inven- A further illustration of the side lap-.

tion is disclosed in Fig. 14 in whichit is desired to project one element normal to a second element. In this instance, the elements are temporarily held in position by the piece lit, which has its one end secured to the nailing strip of one element, and its other end secured to the nailing strip of the other element,

From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that a complete building may be assembled by a carpenter, using nothing but carpenters tools, with the exception, of course, of a metal saw for obaintaing the angular cuts, where needed, of the composite structural element of this invention, since all of the parts are fit and nailed toone another right on the job. After the frame has been completely temporarily-erected, as above described, a welder will go over the frame and run small welds at dilferent points-where the metal to metal contact is had between the dif ferent construction elements. These welds are indicated by the reference numeral 50, which reference character was above used to indicate the welds attaching the connecting element .46

to the second floor beam 45. After the various elements of the frame have been welded to one another, a very rigid frame results, each construction element of which has resilient nailing strips, whereby the outside weather boarding can be very readily secured in the same manner as heretofore employed and the inside trim and the like can be mounted in the same manner asnow used. It should also be noted that plaster lath, either of the metallic or wood type, may be mounted in the same manner as heretofore, that is, by driving nails through the lath into the wood, or by driving a nail into the wood and bending the nail over the expanded metal lath,

as is the usual practice. I

In Fig. 13, is shown a cross-section of a completed residence or dwelling frame, built up of the construction elements of this invention, and illustrates the parts under tensile and compression stress, whereby the'frame, in. its final form, is to all intents andpurposes, homogeneous. Specifically, this view illustrates the foundation walls 6'! and 68 supporting the first floor beams or joists 69. These joists may or may not be supported from beneath by a support it. and secured thereto, asabove explained, are the uprights or studs 73 and i i at each side of the building. These studs 13 and 14 are respectively capped by cap channels 15 and 16, on which is Extending along the ends of the beams (i9 channels H and 72, respectively supporting .the

- i llustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. of the rafters 83 and 84 are angularly cut and mounted, in the manner above described, the

second floor beams or joists 11. The second floor beams or joists carry, at their outer ends, respectively the channels 18 and 19 which, in turn, support the second floor uprights or studs 80 and BI. The third floor or attic floor beams and joists 82 are mounted on the second floor second floor studs, in addition to supporting the thirdfloor or attic floor beams or joists, have connected thereto, the ends of the roof rafters 83 and 84, in a manner above described and The inner ends butted against a ridgepiece 85, which may be a strip of metal, or preferably formed of a construction element of this invention.

Mounted on the second floor beams or joists ,I'I, andlocated intermediate the ends thereof, arethe channels 86 and 81, respectively receiv ing the lower ends of the studs 88 and 89 of wall partitions. These wall partitions studs 88 and 89 are respectively capped by channels 95 and 9|, which channels contact with the under surface-of the third floor or attic floor beams or joists 82. Mounted on the upper surface of the said joists 82, are channels 92 and 93 for the third floor partition studs 94 and 95. These third floor partition studs 9t and 95 are con.- nected at the upper ends to a channel 96, which is formed at its opposite ends in the same manner that the header channel 5|, above described, is formed, that is, is provided at its ends, with arms which embrace the sides of the rafters 83 and 84.

It will be noted that the second floor beams or joists are without support, except at the ends, Whichsupports are the studding extending from the first floor. In the ordinary construction, this would mean that the weight on the beams or joists 11 would tend to bend these beams unless they were unusually heavily constructed, thereby materially increasing the costs of the building, as well as materially adding to the dead load of the building.

With the construction element of this invention, and, formed as it is of comparatively light weight material and'welded substantially at all parts of metallic contact, the elements are physically united, as much so, as if they were cast or rolled from a given piece. It is believed that there will be no question raised as to the strength of the welds, since it is well known that the joint where two relatively thin parts are welded to one another is stronger than the metal itself, and that in order to break the parts from one another, after they are welded, it is necessary to tear one of the parts. From this, it then follows, that the second floor beams Tl need not be made any stronger than if they were amply supported by studding and partitions underneath, since these beams are supported'and suspended from the roof, which is in turn, supported by the studs 1d and 8| of both the first and second floors, and these studs are, in turn, braced against buckling by the cross beams or joists 11 and 82 of the second and third floors. In addition, the channel 96 acts as a truss brace for the roof rafters and co-operates materially in trussing the parts and tying same against deflection in any and all directions.

From the foregoing, it will be noted, that many of the construction elements are substantially under tensile strain, which is the idealcondition to have metallic members and thereby permitting the use of considerably lighter materials without the possibility .of failure and thereby holding the cost of constructing the building or dwelling to a minimum.

t will be appreciated that if there were room partitions between the first and second floor beams or joists, the weight on the first floor beams or joists would be considerably supported by suspension from the above members, as above described, and may, therefore, be formed of lighter material than would be necessary if this weight were to be supported merely by the suspension of the beams or joists, even though an intermediate undersupport, such as iii, were or were not used, also, with this construction and the same weight of joist, a greater load could be carried.

It should be noted that there is no noise or squeaking in the flooring, after the same has been found in rooms utilizing all metal beams or joists with metal lath and hard plaster, is eliminated, due to the fact that the metal lath is secured to. the wood and not the metal. By comparison with the other types of composite structural elements, such as what are known as bar joists, the shrinkage in the nailing strips will have no bearing on the structure, since the nailing strip is held from the top, by the outer flooring, clamping the flanges of the metal side members between said flooring and said nailing strip.

It is believed that, from the foregoing description, the other objects and advantages of the present invention, as initially pointed out, will be obtained, by using the construction element previously described, and that the resulting building has the advantages of steel construction without losing the advantage of having the inside and outside facings, trim and the like, expeditiously secured thereto, as by nailing, as is the usual practice, and without the necessity of resorting to special connecting means, as is the case with other metallic construction elements, now being employed.

What is claimed, is:

1. In a construction element of the class described, the combination of a first side member formed of a sheet or strip of steel to provide a body portion having an exterior plane surface, and flanges projecting inwardly therefrom at each edge of the body member and intermediately thereof, a second side member opposed to the first side member, and formed of a sheet or strip of steel and comprising a body portion having a plane exterior surface and a plurality of flanges, projecting inwardly therefrom, one at each edge of the body portion and intermediate the edges thereof, the corresponding inwardly projectingflange of each side member lying in the same plane, whereby, between the edge flanges and the adjacent intermediate flanges, a channel is provided, and a nailing strip in each channel.

2. In a construction element of the class described, the combination of a first side member formed of a sheet or strip of steel to provide a body portion having an exterior plane surface, and flanges projecting inwardly therefrom at each edge of the body member and intermediately thereof, a second side member opposed to the first side member, and formedof a sheet or strip of steel and comprising a body portion having a plane exterior surface and a plurality of flanges, projecting inwardly therefrom, one at each edge of the body portion and intermediate the edges thereof, the corresponding inwardly projecting flange of each side member lying in the same plane, whereby, between the edge flanges and the adjacent intermediate flanges, a channel is provided, and a nailing strip in each channel, said side members each having spaced apertures in alignment with one another.

3. In a construction element of the class described, the combination of a first side member formed of a sheet or strip of steel to providev a body portion having an exterior plane surface,

and flanges projecting inwardly therefrom at each edge of the body member andv intermediately thereof, a second side member opposed to the first side member, and formed of a sheet or strip of steel and comprising a body portion having a plane exterior surface and a plurality of flanges, projecting inwardly therefrom, one at each edge of the body portion and intermediate the edges thereof, the corresponding inwardly projecting flange of each side member lying in the same plane, whereby, between the edge flanges and the adjacent intermediate flanges, a channel is provided, a nailing strip in each channel, said side members each having spaced apertures in alignment with one another, and

means for connecting the opposed inner flanges of the side members to one another.

4. In a construction element of the class described, the combination of a first side member formed of a sheet or strip of steel to provide a body portion having an exterior plane surface, and flanges projecting inwardly therefrom at each edge of the body member and intermediately thereof, a second side member opposed to the first side member, and formed of a sheet or strip of steel and comprising a body portion having a plane exterior surface and a plurality of flanges, projecting inwardly therefrom, one at each edge of the body portion and intermediate the edges thereof, the corresponding inwardly projecting flange of each side member lying. in

a body portion having an exterior plane surface,

and flanges projecting inwardly therefrom at each edge of thebodymember and intermediately thereof, a second side member-opposed to thefirst side member, and formed of a sheet or strip of steel and comprising a body portion having a plane exterior surface and a plurality of flanges, projecting inwardly therefrom, one at each edge of the body portion and intermediate the edges thereof, the corresponding inwardly projecting flange of each side member lying in the same plane, whereby, between the edge flanges and the adjacent intermediate flanges,

a channel is provided, a nailing strip in eachchannel, said side memberseach having spaced apertures in alignment with one another, means for connecting the opposed inner flanges of the side members to one another, and tie strips for connecting the edge flanges to one another.

6. In a building construction, the combination of a plurality of horizontal floor beams, each composed of metallic. and resilient. parts and together having arectangular cross-section, pro

viding substantially plane. exterior surfaces with;

id: surfaces, a channel iron welded tothe exterior surface of said beams, said channel comprising a perforated base, and perforated, upturned flanges at the edges of said base, upright, joists a nailing stripextending axially of one of,

having one end disposed in said channel and formed of a metallic shellv with plane, surfaces 3 and having a nailingv strip extending axially of,

at least two of said surfaceaand meanspassing through the perforations of the, channel into. the upright nailing strips, for securing samein p.051;-

tion, a cap channel atthe other ends of said upright joists having perforated base. and flanges at the ends of the base, and. means passing through the said perforations of the capehannels into the nailing strips of the upright.

AUGUSTINE DAVIS, JR, 

